I have traced my family back to Catherine Berni, born 1862 in Illica, Parma, Italy. From what I can tell, she immigrated to the US (settled in New Jersey) in 1887 and died in 1946. She was married to Joseph Montegari (1855-1937). I have no idea how to trace my family any further, because the genealogy moves to Italy! Can someone help me find the Berni family from Parma? And if not, the Montegari family or passenger lists etc. I'm not sure how to move forward! THANK YOU!!!

Welcome to the Forum !We would be happy to see what we can do to help.Were Catherine (Caterina/Catherina) Berni and Joseph (Giuseppe) Montegari married in Italy? Do you have all of your US census records?Have you been able to locate ship manifests?Thank you, Valarie

You could begin your search in Italy by writing to the comune (municiplaity) of Bedonia for Catherine Berni's birth record. Illica is a frazione (fraction/village) in the comune of Bedonia. Vital records (birth, marriage, death) for llica would be found in Bedonia. Catherine's birth record may have a notation abt her marriage.

Also,The Family History Library (LDS) has microfilmed vital records for many comunes. It does have civil records for Bedonia on microfilm, the films from 1866-1910 should include Illica

Your nearest Family History Center can order civil records for Bedonia on microfilm.The cost is about $7.50 mo (rent), you’ll need to go to the center to order & view them. The Center is staffed with very helpful folks - you may want to call first to check the hours they're open

Wow, thank you for all the information! Your help means so much to me! I have searched a lot of websites for passenger lists but have not been able to find either one of them. The name variations you suggested might help a lot! I believe they were married in Italy, because they both arrived in the US in 1887, and she was 25. That's my guess. I have census records for 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940 (by 1940, she was a widow).

You gave me so much information; can you suggest which avenue I should start with (writing Italy for records, finding microfilm at a family history center, pursuing passenger lists, or reading books)? This might sound silly, but I work a lot and have to plan my spare time well. I know I should ideally use all the resources you listed, but I can't dive into all of them at once! One thing at a time

I have a letter ready to send to Italy tomorrow. However, from the link you sent, it looks like there is a fax and email for the Bedonian commune. Can I ask for information that way? Sorry, I don't know much about this (guess I'll have to get one of those books)!

CAlise wrote:I have a letter ready to send to Italy tomorrow. However, from the link you sent, it looks like there is a fax and email for the Bedonian commune. Can I ask for information that way? Sorry, I don't know much about this (guess I'll have to get one of those books)!

I'm so glad we could help!I would start with the letter to the comune, order a few microfilms (just the years for their births and marriage, it may take a few weeks for them to arrive) and when you have time look through one of the books that are online.I looked for your ship manifest(s) and 1900 census (in Essex and Morris Counties) and had no luck.Also, the original spelling may have been Mantegari (G Mantegari also found in Newark in 1896-7 directories)Yes, you should be able to send a fax/email